Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

When it comes to mental health disorders and addiction, it is difficult to say which one causes the other. Some people may have a mental illness, and in trying to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety or stress, turn to addictive substances as the "solution." Others may be fine mentally, but after abusing drugs and becoming addicted they develop mental health disorders like psychosis. In the end, both problems usually go hand in hand and are commonly suffered by addicts in Illinois.

Those suffering from depression often turn to drugs to alleviate their emotional symptoms. Of course, there are many kinds of drugs that change the mood of a person by providing the sought-after high. Heroin, cocaine, alcohol and marijuana are just a small sampling of such drugs. They bring about feelings of euphoria, a sense of calmness or elevated energy levels. While these drugs may alter a depressed person's mood, the person will become addicted to this emotional state without any prospect of fixing the original mental health problem. Former drug users can also suffer from mental health issues in the aftermath of a drug's high, and during withdrawal. This mixed state of bad mental health and drug use can lead to extreme acts such as suicide.

As mentioned before, drugs (both over-the-counter and illicit) can lead to the development of mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder. These disorders affect both men and women of all age groups and ethnicities in Illinois. According to Medscape.com, people who are at risk for mood disorders because of genetics and family history can increase the likelihood of getting these afflictions by abusing drugs.

On the opposite side of the disorder spectrum are anxiety disorders. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) these types of disorders are often found in those who have experienced psychiatric illness from an early age, and also those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse. As with other disorders, the victim may abuse substances to combat anxiety. Often these conditions become very difficult to diagnose when mental health and drug abuse overlaps.

A person diagnosed with bipolar disorder (also known as manic depressive disorder) undergoes severe mood swings. This means that in one moment, the person feels on top of the world and extremely happy, but soon after, becomes irrational, reckless, and possibly prone to try drugs. In the next moment, the same person will have a complete turnaround and feel terribly depressed. Again, this person may turn to drugs to treat these severe mood swings, leading to addiction.

Substance abuse often comes about in part because of a person's underlying psychiatric disorder. So when treating one problem, the mental health professional must look at all facets of a patient's life. There are many different mental health disorders connected to substance abuse aside from those just listed. To the general public in Illinois and elsewhere, many of them may seem unrelated to substance abuse but that is often not the case.

The NIMH has found that substance abuse (both drugs and alcohol), mood disorders, and anxiety issues co-exist with eating disorders (characterized by anorexia nervosa, binge eating and bulimia). Treatment for an eating disorder is similar to that of substance abuse treatment. The treatment plans include cognitive behavioral therapy, medications, family counseling, psychoanalysis, and support groups.

It is often the case that trying to treat one specific mental health disorder often leads to the unveiling of another. This can make treatment more difficult, but our well-trained professionals can make an accurate diagnosis and plan for recovery. We take pride in our helpful and knowledgeable therapists and counselors at our center. We offer a multi-tiered plan for combating addiction and other mental health disorders using recognized and proven treatment methods. Be sure to contact us for more information on the addiction treatment programs and services we provide for those suffering from drug or alcohol addiction.

A CENTER FOR ADDICTION RECOVERY

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We accept most major insurances and also offer other payment options. We will negotiate directly with your insurance company, with accurate diagnosis of your condition, that ensures you receive the maximum benefits you are entitled to.